In a Mysteroy of Heroism, Stephen Crane challenges the reader to determine if it is the action or the outcome that defines a hero.

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The question becomes whether it is the ACT of being heroic that makes a hero or the OUTCOME of such heroism.


"Heroic" actions of Main Character:
  • He decides to get water for himself and his comrades, essentially ignoring the danger that might come of this.
  • Fighting his own natural instincts to run he goes back for the injured soldier in order to get him water

Outcomes of "Heroism" from Main Character:
  • He spills the water.
  • Even after going back for the soldier he finds that he is too late and he is already dead.

5 Test Questions:
What did Collins go up to the Colonel and General to do?
Why is it so dangerous to go to the well?
How did Collins first react to the fallen soldier?
How did Collin's regiment react to his return?
Is he a hero? Why or why not?

Here's an extended example of the thesis:

Someone sees a train heading straight for an innocent individual.
traintheory1.png











That person tries to get him out of the trains path...
traintheory2.png

however, completely fails.
traintheory3.png

Is he now a hero by acting in a heroic manner or instead does the outcome negate his heroism?
That is the question being asked.

Credits:
Outline and Thesis: Gregory Super Awesome Javier Ethridge, Rollin Carey, Shahab Ali
Images: Gregory Super Awesome Javier Ethridge.